visual language: end of module self evaluation

1.  Which practical skills and methodologies have you developed within this module and how effectively do you think you are employing them within your own practice?

Although I have mentioned working with shape in other module evaluations, it was in Visual Language these considerations began! I think I am starting to improve with shape- particularly as now I will sometimes not even consider using line as a means of image making. That said, I can’t become too involved with shape, and need to experiment more. The first half of the module got me to experiment with media more although I think I lost touch with this particularly as I progressed on to the second half, and with other modules. Thumbnailing has been key in all of the visual modules so far, but I have found it particularly useful in the composition tasks of Visual Language. Now when I create images I mostly create them with a frame in mind straight away- I find it generates ideas quicker and saves time.

2. Which principles/ theories of image making have you found most valuable during this module and how effectively do you think you are employing these within your own practice?

This module has introduced me to the idea of good sketchbook practice- not so much in making the book itself look good but rather disregarding such aesthetic in favour of making lots and not being afraid to make mistakes! This has helped my work in other modules too. I most enjoyed, and also found most useful the second half of the visual language module- learning about composition and placement specific elements in an image. Whilst I think other elements such as line and texture are important, I consider the other the main building blocks of an image and the foundations of which good illustration is made on. I took care to try and employ these in my final visual language piece- the screen print- and I think it worked quite effectively.

3. What strengths can you identify within your Visual Language submission you capitalise on these?

As before, I think most of my strengths lay in the more composition based tasks. Whilst I think I worked these well into my final screen print I will also continue to consider these in all I make. In a way it relates to the idea of thumbnailing too. I think my work that was the more stand-alone pieces, such as the print and line of sight image, were stronger than my sketchbook pieces. I felt myself putting more effort and time into them, perhaps because superficially they seemed more important. However, in a way I think this was a good thing as often I am more inclined to make half finished sketchbook work and this forced me out of this comfort zone.

4. What areas for development can you identify within your Visual Language submission and how will you address these in the future? My lens and non-drawing based image making was poor and badly made. I suppose this needs more practice, and with that one of my sure weaknesses is that I rarely consider working beyond drawing and, sometimes, painting. Whilst the first half of the module forced me to work in different media towards the end I found myself back in my set ways of tone of voice and media usage. I need to stay aware and consider more experimental things, otherwise I will never improve! I think I became lazy with my sketchbook based work.

5. In what way has this module informed how you deconstruct and analyse artwork (whether your own or that of contemporary practitioners)? Practicing identifying different elements of other peoples’ work in the visual language taught sessions and deconstructing them in this way helped me be critical of them too. By simplifying the image or illustration in this way I can create an almost mental-checklist of what is there, what could or should be there and how they work together. There is no reason this logic cannot be applied to my own work either! Whilst having more ‘elements’ does not necessarily make a better picture it is helpful to consider what isn’t there- and whether it could be useful. For example, I was concerned that my image for print was not visually interesting enough, and it was suggested that I look at adding depth that was not there beforehand.